Inner Shroud Damper Mitigates Gas Turbine Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines experience undesirable vibration during operation, leading to stress and wear on airfoils due to conflicting design parameters of variable stator vanes and shroud end mass, resulting in trunnion locking and fatigue.
Innovation Solution
An inner shroud damper system is introduced, comprising arms and mass dampers coupled to the inner shroud, which absorb high energy and act anti-mode to specific vibration frequencies, mitigating vibration responses and reducing wear on airfoils.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If variable stator vanes and shroud end mass are designed with conflicting parameters, then engine performance can be optimized, but vibration increases causing trunnion locking and fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
A damper system is introduced as an intermediary component between the inner shroud and the airfoils. The damper includes a mass element coupled to the inner shroud through a mounting structure, acting as a mediator to counteract vibrations before they reach the airfoils and trunnions, thereby resolving the conflict between engine performance optimization and component durability
Solution Approach 2:
The damper mass element functions as a counterweight that generates opposing forces to neutralize the harmful vibrations caused by the conflicting design parameters of variable stator vanes and shroud end mass. This counter-vibration mechanism allows the system to maintain optimized performance while protecting airfoils from fatigue and trunnion locking
2Reliability
If mass dampers are added to reduce vibration, then airfoil durability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damper system is segmented into distinct functional components: a mass element for vibration counteraction, a mounting structure for attachment to the inner shroud, and coupling mechanisms. This segmentation allows for modular design, easier manufacturing, and simplified maintenance while achieving the vibration reduction goal
Solution Approach 2:
The vibration damping function is extracted as a separate, dedicated system rather than being integrated into the existing airfoil or shroud structures. By taking out the damping function as an independent damper assembly, the system achieves vibration protection without complicating the primary structural designs of the airfoils and shroud
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The inner shroud damper effectively reduces engine vibration, enhancing the durability of airfoils and associated components, thereby improving engine reliability and preventing trunnion locking and fatigue.
Implementation Method 1
at least one mass damper coupled to the at least one arm
Implementation Method 2
absorb high energy and act anti-mode to specific vibration frequencies
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed. An inner shroud damper for a gas turbine engine includes: at least one carrier including a joint to couple to an inner shroud, the at least one carrier having a first side and a second side, and at least one mass damper coupled to the at least one carrier.